Q. What are the advantages of a fluoride rinse administered in the 3 minute "swish" after dental cleaning every 6 months?

I am 60 years old and have a lot of crowns and wondered if this was worth doing. My insurance does not pay for it. Thank you.

A. Your dentist may have recommended this because you may have special risks for cavities. Some medications cause a dry mouth, some people may not have the best daily care.

The fluoride works to prevent the teeth from getting cavities. It is worth doing.

Q. My one tooth has turned grey. All the rest are white. What is happening?

A. A single tooth that has changed color to grey may indicate that the tooth may not be healthy. I would recommend that you see a dentist to have it evaluated.

Q. How often should you have your teeth "really" cleaned? I mean including scraping all the calcium off each tooth takes almost an hour.

I seem to form gunk on my teeth pretty fast. Thanks, Jack

A. Some people develop tartar quicker than others. Generally, it is recommended that you have your teeth cleaned every six months unless you have special problems like gum disease.

Q. I went in for an annual checkup - not experiencing any pain or problems. The dentist, after very thorough scrutiny, found some decay under 1 filling and wants me to come back to have it cleaned up.

I have not had any problems at all. Do I need to get this taken care of now?

A. It is important to get the tooth taken care of before it becomes painful.

Repairing small cavities is easier, less painful, and less involved than having more complex and time-consuming treatment because the problem got worse due to waiting.

Q.I must clench my teeth during sleep because my jaw aches in the morning. Can I do anything?

A. Your dentist can possibly fabricate what is called a night-guard (a rubbery shield) that will protect your teeth and be easier on your jaw. It would be important to talk to your dentist about this and have an evaluation to see if that would help you.

Q.Of all the whitening products advertised (strips, 30 minute paint-on gels, overnight gels, etc) - do you recommend any above the others?

A. I recommend that you talk to your dentist. That type of procedure in my opinion is best monitored and administered by a professional.

There are a variety of choices and the dentist can recommend a system that would be best for you. Some systems are faster than others, some are easier but take a little longer to achieve results. It is important to have the procedure monitored by a professional.